Overview of Goodyear

Goodyear is an exceptional city in southwestern Arizona. Residents have a unique sense of community spirit and enjoy the safety and accessibility of their city. Goodyear received a City Livability Award in 2008, given annually by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, for the well-balanced mindset promoted here. More than 66,000 people live in Goodyear, but the city somehow maintains a small-town environment with friendly neighbors and helpful public services. Look for Goodyear apartments for rent, and find an oasis in the Arizona desert.

Living in Goodyear, AZ

Goodyear was created in 1917 when Paul Litchfield bought 16,000 acres of land for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. When the cotton needed for rubber production were in short supply during World War I, the company realized that Arizona’s climate was similar to that of the foreign sources they’d been purchasing the materials from. A small community formed and began to grow Egyptian cotton in the area, but after the war, Goodyear’s economy suffered when cotton prices plummeted. The city was again important during World War II when the Litchfield Naval Air Facility and Goodyear Aircraft Corporation facilities were constructed in Goodyear, storing aircrafts and serving as a training base for the Navy. Most of the famous Goodyear blimps were built here during the 20th century.

In the 1980s, the Palm Valley master-planned, mixed-use community began to grow into the Goodyear that stands today. Local residents are leaders who work hard to inspire and innovate, earning Goodyear distinctions such as the Arizona Solar Community because of the city’s commitment to using renewable energy sources.

Goodyear Work and Study

Goodyear is home to Franklin Pierce University, which has been committed to bringing greater educational opportunities to Arizona since 1962. FPU has programs ranging from mass communications to criminal justice to sports and recreation management, as well as many exciting minors to help students tailor their ideal course of study. The university’s College of Graduate and Professional Studies serves the needs of the state’s working professionals who need to balance the demands of family, work and other commitments with studying for a higher degree. Franklin Pierce University joins a number of colleges in the greater Phoenix area in offering local students a well-rounded college experience.

For those seeking work, Goodyear has a diverse business environment. The three largest employers in town, each providing jobs for up to 1,000 local residents, are Lockheed Martin, which researches, designs and manufactures advanced aerospace technology systems; McLane Sunwest, a large supply chain services company that provides grocery and foodservice solutions to a variety of merchants and chain restaurants; and West Valley Hospital, a 164-bed acute hospital offering comprehensive medical services to the regional population. Other top employers in Goodyear include Amazon.com, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Cavco Industries, Macy’s Logistics and Operations, and Sub-Zero/Wolf Appliance Manufacturing. Sixty-one percent of Goodyear residents work in management, sales and office occupations. Another 14 percent work in service positions to help support the city’s business and tourism infrastructure.

Rentals in Goodyear, AZ and Cost of Living

With all of the appealing aspects of life in Arizona, residents in Goodyear pay high rent prices. United States Census Bureau statistics show that the standard Goodyear apartment costs $1,018 a month, which is $170 more than the Arizona state average. Despite high rent prices, everyday living expenses are very affordable in Goodyear. The city received a cost of living index of 93.5, which is below the United States average of 100.

Goodyear Attractions and Special Events

Goodyear is home to the Estrella Mountain Regional Park and White Tank Mountain Regional Park, featuring extensive campgrounds, hiking trails, rodeo parks, desert scenery and a seasonal waterfall. The Bible Museum is also here, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The museum has hundreds of bibles from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as 900-year-old biblical scrolls with original Old Testament scriptures. Families of all ages flock to the Wildlife World Zoo, home to the largest collection of exotic animals in Arizona, which is located nearby. There are more than 2,400 animals from 400 different species here, which allow residents to have a very unique zoo experience. Other local favorite events include Field of Screams, Skate Fest, Wag & Tag and the Goodyear City Market.

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